JENKIN, Graeme

Graeme "Jerker" Jenkin was a ruckman who came to Essendon after playing 127 games with Collingwood in 1964 and again from 1966 to 1973. He was sidelined in 1965 with a broken leg.

He became Collingwood's premier ruckman when Brownlow Medallist, Len Thompson, went on strike over a pay dispute, and became something of a cult figure due to his cheery, happy-go-lucky nature. His best year was 1970 when he ran second in Collingwood's best and fairest award, was selected for Victoria (but didn't play due to injury) and played in the Magpies' losing Grand Final.

In 1972, new coach Neil Mann set about re-building Thompson's career, largely at the expense of Jenkin's and he reluctantly accepted a trade to Essendon in exchange for premiership defender, John Williams. Even though it was late in his career he didn't perform as strongly as was expected. and he left at the end of the 1976 season.

He then joined Brunswick in mid-1976 and played there in 1977, then moved to Greensborough from 1978 to 1980.

Jenkin represented the Diamond Valley League in 1978 and 1979. He later coached juniors in the Doncaster League.

He will probably be best remembered as being the player that Carlton great Alex Jesaulenko climbed on to take his celebrated mark in the 1970 Grand Final.